his work is often referred to as psychosocial theory, because it relates principles of psychological and social development
his theory is an adaptation of the development theories of Sigmund Freud, who trained him as a psychoanalyst.
hypothesized that people pass through eight psychosocial stages in their lifetimes:
Stage 1: TRUST vs MISTRUST - Erikson defined basic trust as "an essential trustfulness of others as well as a fundamental senese of one's own trustworthiness." This crisis has a dual nature: Infants not only have their needs met, but they also help in meeting the mother's needs. If the mother is inconsistent or rejecting, she becomes a source of frustration for the infant rather than a source of pleasure. Stage 2: AUTONOMY vs DOUBT - The child's desires for power and independence often clash with the desires of the parent. Stage 3: INITIATIVE vs GUILT - The child can now express humor, empathy and resilience.Stage 4: INDUSTRY vs INFERIORITY - Teachers and peers take on increasing importance. Success brings about a good feeling regarding oneself.Stage 5: IDENTITY vs ROLE CONFUSION - the question "Who am I?" becomes important during adolescence. They increasingly turn away from their parents and towards their peers.Stage 6: INTIMACY vs ISOLATION - the young adult is now ready to form a new relationship of trust and intimacy with another individual. This relationship should enhance the identity of both partners.Stage 7: GENERATIVITY vs SELF-ABSORPTION - "the interest of establishing and guiding the next generation"Stage 8: INTEGRITY vs DESPAIR - the final stages of psychosocial development, people look back over their lifetime and resolve their final identity crisis. Acceptance of all this brings a sense of integrity, or wholeness; a realization that one's life has been one's own responsibility.
Erik Erikson